Job Title:             School Improvement Specialist

Location:             School Based

Pay Grade:          Teacher Salary Scale

Work Calendar:    11 Month Licensed

FLSA Status:        Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the building principal with support of the division’s Coordinator of Assessments, the School Improvement Specialist (SIS) supports the implementation of Virginia SOL Assessment Program and other assessments that align with the division testing program.  The SIS participates in instructional leadership in the building, including the development and oversight of the school improvement plan.  The position is ideal for aspiring administrators looking to demonstrate instructional leadership and operational skills.

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate SOL Assessment Program at assigned school

• Coordinate and administer assessments in accordance with test implementation manuals and directions from the Coordinator of Assessments.
• Coordinate with building level staff (Department Chairs, Administration, Case Managers, and Counseling Department) to develop a school wide test schedule and ensure that all students are able to test in a safe and secure environment.
• Maintain test security of all Assessment programs, and report and/or resolve activities that compromises test security or impacts a student’s ability to test.
• Manage the ordering, receiving, distribution and administration of test materials, and work with technology staff to ensure preparation and operability of computers for online training and testing
• Work with transition specialist(s), special education department chair, alternative education staff, and building administration to facilitate testing of students in day-placement, residential treatment, or alternative education.
• Collaborate with staff on remediation programs and testing, and provide testing opportunities for students requiring retests or expedited retakes.
• Ensure all testing data, including demographic data, has been reviewed for proper reporting to the Virginia Department of Education.
• Attends trainings at state and local level to ensure proper assessments administration and prepare and provide training for all building staff on same.

Support development and execution of instructional improvement plans

• Serve as an instructional leader of the building staff under the direction of the School Principal to improve student achievement.
• Assist school staff in reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting school test data.
• Collaborate with Counseling Department to identify students assessment needs to ensure on time graduation (for high school-based positions).
• Participate in development of the School Improvement Plan and contribute to monitoring of school efforts to improve student learning.
• Encourage staff to work collaboratively to improve instruction and to use test data to improve continues student performance.
• Identifies students eligible to participate in SOL testing during summer school.

Support and demonstrate core values of Stafford Schools

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond promptly and thoroughly to written and oral requests for information.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as a role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all District and School policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree strongly preferred
• Three (3) years of successful full-time experience as a teacher, counselor, or administrator; two (2) or more years at the grade level of the assigned school strongly preferred.
• Professional License issued by the Virginia Board of Education, or eligibility for same, required; endorsement in a discipline covered by the Virginia SOL Assessment Program (English, History, Math, Social Studies) preferred.
• Administration and Supervision endorsement preferred.
• Experience with the Virginia Alternative Assessment Program preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge
  • Assess student academic performance based on the Virginia Standards of Learning Assessment Program.
  • Current research and trends in education with special emphasis on curriculum, instruction and training, student assessment data, testing practices and procedures.
• Skills
  • Computer usage to include Internet and Intranet, spreadsheet and office applications (Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel) and familiarity with computerized testing programs.
  • Develop plans, identify problems, read and understand data in order to achieve maximum use of instructional time and the use of technology for the benefit of students and staff.
• Abilities
  • Work effectively with classroom teachers, administrators, students and parent organizations in providing the effective implementation of the SOL assessment program.
  • Work cooperatively in a team environment to meet goals
  • Organize and perform work independently
  • Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects
  • Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise, temperatures that are controlled, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements.
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objects by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations shall be made, as required by law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this job description.